NASA's Aqua satellite, which is in final preparations for launch next week, eventually could help weather forecasters extend their forecasts out to seven to 10 days, according to NASA. "We have five major weather forecasting operations around the world that now, on their own nickel, have set up shop to take the data from Aqua during its commissioning phase ... to help demonstrate the utility of the Aqua data," Ghassem R. Asrar, associate administrator for earth science at NASA Headquarters, said during an April 22 press briefing in Washington.
Boeing Co. announced completion of a major design review of the radar and identification, friend or foe (IFF) subsystem for Project Wedgetail, under which Australia will get specially modified 737 aircraft for early warning and control. Boeing Space & Communications is working under a contract valued at more than $1 billion for four of the aircraft, plus options for up to three more. The first two are slated for delivery in 2006. The radar/IFF is the aircraft's main sensor, Boeing said.
Boeing Co. announced completion of a major design review of the radar and identification, friend or foe (IFF) subsystem for Project Wedgetail, under which Australia will get specially modified 737 aircraft for early warning and control. Boeing Space&Communications is working under a contract valued at more than $1 billion for four of the aircraft, plus options for up to three more. The first two are slated for delivery in 2006. The radar/IFF is the aircraft's main sensor, Boeing said.
NASA should consider canceling work on the second-generation reusable launch vehicle (RLV) that is slated for potential availability in 2012, according to Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.), whose district is home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center. In a statement released at an April 18 hearing of the House Science space subcommittee, Weldon said NASA probably cannot afford to spend tens of billions of dollars on a second-generation RLV that promises only "marginal improvements" over the space shuttle.
ACS WORK: Lockheed Martin Management and Data Systems will work on the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) system for the U.S. Army under a $35 million contract that precedes full-scale development. The ACS is designed to replace the Army's Guardrail/Common Sensor and the Airborne Reconnaissance Low ISR systems.
TRW announced April 22 that a potential bidder has signed its confidentiality agreement and will soon begin receiving non-public information about the company. TRW officials did not identify the company. The announcement, made in a letter sent to Northrop Grumman's general counsel, W. Burks Terry, indicates the company agreed to the three-year standstill provision contained in TRW's confidentiality agreement. Standstill provisions typically prohibit a bidding company from acquiring stock shares of a target company for a specified period.
Boosted by sales across its military segments, Lockheed Martin Corp. posted earnings for the first quarter of 2002 that more than doubled those recorded a year ago at this time. In an April 23 conference call with investors and analysts, Lockheed Martin officials said net earnings for the quarter totaled $218 million, or 49 cents per share, compared with $105 million, or 25 cents per share, a year ago. Sales for the quarter rose from $4.75 billion a year ago to $5.97 billion this quarter, an increase of 26 percent.
NASA's Aqua satellite, which is in final preparations for launch next week, eventually could help weather forecasters extend their forecasts out to seven to 10 days, according to NASA. "We have five major weather forecasting operations around the world that now, on their own nickel, have set up shop to take the data from Aqua during its commissioning phase ... to help demonstrate the utility of the Aqua data," Ghassem R. Asrar, associate administrator for earth science at NASA Headquarters, said during an April 22 press briefing in Washington.
As the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) looks for ways to increase air surveillance over U.S. territory, high-altitude airships eventually could become part of the U.S. air defense system. Under a proposed advanced concept technology demonstration, or ACTD, the Army and NORAD are requesting funds for a single airship to serve as a demonstration vehicle, according to NORAD officials. If successful, the new program could lead to a network of airships used to monitor possible air and maritime threats to U.S. territory.
LIQUID BOOSTER: TRW Inc.'s work on a liquid-fueled booster target for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is worth $29 million over five years, the company announced April 22. The MDA recently selected TRW to proceed with the work, which is intended to better represent the threat of incoming missiles (DAILY, April 4).
Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine has named its laureates for 2001. Each winner received a Laureate Trophy at April 16 ceremonies at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. The laureates are: * Commercial Air Transport: American Airlines Chairman Donald Carty and Vice Chairman Robert Baker, for their response in the wake of the Sept. 11 hijackings.
As the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) looks for ways to increase air surveillance over U.S. territory, high-altitude airships eventually could become part of the U.S. air defense system. Under a proposed advanced concept technology demonstration, or ACTD, the Army and NORAD are requesting funds for a single airship to serve as a demonstration vehicle, according to NORAD officials. If successful, the new program could lead to a network of airships used to monitor possible air and maritime threats to U.S. territory.
Bell Helicopter/Textron is working on plans to offer an FAA-certified upgrade for commercial users of aging UH-1 Huey helicopters, similar to the company's Huey II upgrade kit for government and military users. Bell is in discussions with the FAA about the program, dubbed "Project 210," and hopes to make a formal announcement this summer, according to Scott Fitzgerald, director of the Huey II program.
The recently restructured Space Based Infrared System-Low (SBIRS-Low) program intends to have Northrop Grumman Corp. and Raytheon Co. fly their sensor designs in a competition at least once, according to the Missile Defense Agency. The flight tests are part of MDA's plan "to maintain at least two payload contractors well into the development phase so as to have production options in the long term," the agency wrote in a statement responding to questions.
Aviation Week&Space Technology magazine has named its laureates for 2001. Each winner received a Laureate Trophy at April 16 ceremonies at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. The laureates are: * Commercial Air Transport: American Airlines Chairman Donald Carty and Vice Chairman Robert Baker, for their response in the wake of the Sept. 11 hijackings.
NEW DELHI - By 2007, the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) will operate 251 transponders, a senior Indian Department of Space official told Aerospace Daily. The official added that the INSAT-4 series would have seven satellites, INSAT-4A to INSAT-4G, with INSAT-4D as a spare. INSAT is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in the Asia Pacific region. Currently, INSAT-2C, INSAT-2dT, INSAT-2-3E, INSAT-3B and INSAT-3C are in operation.
A comprehensive business case must be made before NASA or private contractors can move ahead with plans to develop commercial reusable launch vehicles, according to the Futron Corp. Futron, a Bethesda, Md.-based technology management consulting firm, is studying potential markets for NASA as part of the agency's Second-Generation RLV program. The study will be released in mid to late 2002, Futron officials said. Those markets include public space travel, space manufacturing, space product promotion and space solar power, according to the firm.
Deployment of a second battery for Israel's Arrow missile defense system could be delayed by up to a year due to environmental concerns, according to Arieh Herzog, the director of the Israel Missile Defense Organization.
Northrop Grumman, which is seeking to acquire TRW Inc., announced April 22 it would not sign a confidentiality agreement with TRW to see company financial information due to what it calls several "onerous restrictions" contained in the agreement. TRW offered to provide non-public information to outside companies, but the offer was contingent on those companies signing a confidentiality agreement.
Gen. Lance W. Lord said he will stress three main points in his new job as commander of Air Force Space Command. Answering reporters' questions shortly after taking the position April 19 in a ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base here, Lord, formerly assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force and a career space officer, said he will first make sure "that we fully flex our muscles as an independent major command."
Northrop Grumman, which is seeking to acquire TRW Inc., announced April 22 it would not sign a confidentiality agreement with TRW to see company financial information due to what it calls several "onerous restrictions" contained in the agreement. TRW offered to provide non-public information to outside companies, but the offer was contingent on those companies signing a confidentiality agreement.
Bell Helicopter/Textron is working on plans to offer an FAA-certified upgrade for commercial users of aging UH-1 Huey helicopters, similar to the company's Huey II upgrade kit for government and military users. Bell is in discussions with the FAA about the program, dubbed "Project 210," and hopes to make a formal announcement this summer, according to Scott Fitzgerald, director of the Huey II program.
